May a’bloom with films, fun, informational events

9-15 THE CHICAGO CRITICS FILM FESTIVAL the first festival programmed entirely by Chicago Film Critics Association members, presents 24 international festival favorites, including festival shorts programs and work as yet-undistributed work. Actors, writers and producers to attend. At the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport.

9 “LET’S GET WORKING: CELEBRATING STUDS TERKEL,” a 3-day festival devoted to writer, broadcaster, activist (1912-2008) includes “Medium Cool:” a screening of Haskell Wexler’s great 1968 political film inspired by Terkel’s book “Division Street.” Discussion follows with Wexler and Andrew Davis (“The Fugitive”), then-assistant cameraman on the film.

At the Logan Center for the Arts, Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th   St., lower level, 4-6 p.m.

10 MEDIA BURN ARCHIVES’”BEST OF STUDS TERKEL,” (1946-2008 a 90-minute program of Terkel as actor, radio/TV host, activist, from the largest collection of Terkel film and video in the world spanning more than six decades.

Followed by Craft Talk” Television and Film, in which “The Third Coast” author Thomas Dyja talks with Media Burn’s Tom Weinberg and Sara Chapman and the Museum of Broadcast Communications’ Walter Podrazik. Moderator is the Humanities Festival’s Alison Cuddy.

At the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th   St., lower level, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.   

12 CHICAGO YOUTH COMMUNITY FILM FESTIVAL “Reel Look” comes from some 350 youths from 12 Chicago alternative high schools who used film as a platform to galvanize languishing civil rights progress and heighten awareness of social justice issues ignited by the racially charged Trayvon Martin case. 

Films were judged by Chicago filmmakers and educators, Dr. Susan Doll, Dr.Vinni Hall, Jeff Harder. Phillip Koch,  Ines Sommer, Nelson Carajal, John Petrakis and Zak Piper.

At the Claudia Cassidy Theatre, Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 6 p.m.  Free and open to all.

19-20 ABEL CINE’S INTENSIVE WORKSHOP on the Phantom Flex/4K Miro is a hands-on class designed to train a technically oriented filmmaker, digital imaging technician or camera assistant to the level of operating a Phantom 2K Flex, Flex4K or Phantom Miro,  in the field as a Phantom Technician. Upon course completion, attendees will be added to AbelCine’s online Phantom Tech List.

At AbelCine, 17 W. 662 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook Terrace.

22 AT “AN EVENING OF FAME,” nine talented performers will compete for a dance and vocal scholarship each, at the 3rd  annual fundraiser to help advance the careers of emerging artists.  Winners will be selected by six celebrity judges, hosted by Taylor Mallory, Level Next recording artist. Celebrity guest is Marisa Buchheit, Miss Chicago 2014.

Cocktail hour is catered by Wolfgang Puck and a silent auction are part of the evening, 7-10 p.m. at Columbia College, Stage Two Theatre, 618 S. Michigan. Tickets may be purchased here. 

17, 21 CHICAGO FILMMAKERS’ “SHORT STORY SHOWCASE: Love Facets” celebrates the best local, low-budget narrative short films on the theme of the many facets of love. Films screening were made by Ryan Marshall, Joi-Noelle Worley, Sean Duffy and Daniel Izul, also in attendance.


May 17, Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark, 8 p.m.; $8 suggested donationMay 21, Columbia College Hokin Hall, 624 S. Wabash, $8, free for CC students, faculty and staff, 6:30 p.m.

31 “GROWING CITIES,” co-presented by Pivot Arts, a documentary from Dan Susman, examines the role of urban farming in America and asks how much power it has to revitalize our cities and change the way we eat. Pivot Arts develops new work and presents performances throughout the year culminating in a large, multi-arts festival. 


May 31, Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark, 8 p.m.; $8 suggested donationJune 4, Columbia College Hokin Hall, 624 S. Wabash, $8, free for CC students, faculty and staff, 6:30 p.m.

Click in often.  There’s more to come. Send notices to ruth@reelchicago.com.